Metering dispenser for the contents of collapsible tubes



V. R. DAVIS Feb. 18, 1941.

METERING DISPENSER FOR THE CONTENTS OF COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed Sept. 15, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 1N VENTOR. Va/1m ZR, Dewifi r ATTORNEYS Feb. 18, 1941. V; R. DAVIS 2,231,889

METERING DISPENSER FOR THE CONTENTS OF COLLAPSIBLE TUBES Filed Sept. 15, 1939 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'Eie- INVENTOR.

E 'Wrn mfbcwis r Patented Feb. 18, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE METERING DISPENSER FOR THE CONTENTS COLLAPSIBLE TUBES GCIalms.

My present invention relates to devices for dispensing cream-like materials fromv collapsible tubes and more particularly to a metering dis penser for the contents of collapsible tubes.

My dispenser is arranged to measure and discharge a given amount of material from a collapsible tube for each operation of my device. In this particular it differs from many dispensers that have been observed in that with my present device the mechanism is so arranged that each time the operating lever is moved through one cycle of operation it will dispense a predetermined amount of cream, or other material that may be sold or stored in collapsible tubes.

It will be apparent it is believed that my device could be slightly modified to measure given amounts of any material. It could serve to dispense various types of food products or ingredients, or any material having a consistency suitable for use with a collapsible tube made of metal or other flexible material.

In the present illustrations and specification I have shown my device as particularly adaptable for the dispensing of tooth paste and to be operated by the insertion of the tooth brush into the housing. It will be apparent it is believed that it might be similarly operated by a scoop, a measuring spoon, or other means.

The principal object of my present invention, therefore, is to provide a dispensing means which, when its operating lever is moved in the proper manner, will dispense a given amount of material from a collapsible tube and then when the lever is allowed to assume its normalposition it will be capable of dispensing another portion of the same amount. This cycle should be repeated until the entire contents of the tube is discharged.

Other and more specific objects will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,

wherein Figure 1 is a side elevation of my device, shown in section, substantially along its center.

Figure 2 is a view similar to Figure 1 but showing the first step in the operation of my device.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 2 except that a further step in the dispensing operation is illustrated.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 1 showing, in section, the final step in the operation of my device.

Figure 5 is a perspective view showing one type of housing suitable for use with my device.

Figure 6 is a front elevation of my device showing a section taken along the line 86 of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a perspective view showing the weighted presser member used with my device.

Figures 8, 9, 10, 11, and 12 are cross-sectional views, in plan, taken along similarly numbered 5 lines of Figure 1.

Figure .13 is a perspective view showing the operating lever used in my device together with the adjustable pivot means employed. In

Figure 14 is a perspective view showing the floating guide means employed with my device for positioning and guiding the presser member.

Figure 15 is a bracketed view showing the means employed to grip the dispensingend of a collapsible tube and showing also in perspective the type of tube used with my device and the manner in which it is flattened in the dispensing operation.

Referring to the drawings, throughout which like reference characters indicate like parts, I8 designates the housing for my dispensing equipment. This may be made of any suitable material such as being cast of metal, or molded of plastic. A cover I I is provided so that the charging of the device with a new tube of paste can be easily eflected and it is preferably further provided with an indented portion I 8 so that the crimped end I! of the tooth paste tube T will lie on the step 20 so as to produce an unbroken so plane for the preadjusted presser member 2|. To assist in placing member 2|, I provide a hinged door D in the top of housing l6. Disposed below door D is a slidable closure 22. Operation of this member is probably best shown in Figures 1, 2, 3, 35 and 4, and it consists essentially of a rest portion 22 and downwardly extending portion 22 which, at its lower end is bent inwardly so as to provide the spring seat 24 which slidably engages the torsion spring 25 which normally urges closure 22 into its closed, or uppermost, position.

Fixedly secured within housing It is the tube positioning and retaining assembly 26, probably best illustrated in Figure 15. It consists essentially of a plate 21 withdown turned edges so 45 that the same can be riveted or otherwise secured to housing l8, and is provided with a semicircular boss 28 having an interior bore of a size to accommodate the largest tube it is intended to use with this device. As a securing means for the 0 tube a pivoted latch member 29 is provided which is normally drawn into tight engagement with the threaded neck of the tube as by the tension spring 30. It will be noted that member 29 has, also. a circular cut out portion which is prefer- 55 ably beveled so as to seat fully into the bottom of the thread on the tube neck, after the showing of Figures 1, 2, 3, and 4.

Disposed above assembly 26 is the floating guide means 3|, probably best illustrated in Figure 14 and shown in its successive positions in Figures 1 to 4, inclusive. This guide member is positioned in housing l6 by screws 32 which are threaded into outstanding lugs as 33 formed as part of member 3|. These screws, however, also pass through body size openings in lugs 34 which are formed as part of housing It. Thus it will be apparent, it is believed, that the guide member is positioned against vertical displacement by this means. It is further held in position by coil tension springs 35, 36, and 31 which are anchored at one end to the guide means and at the other end to hens-- ling l6. Member 3| is provided with guide ways 38 and 39 which are adapted to slidably engage outstanding slide portions 40 of the presser member 2|. This member 'should be made of heavy material, a lead base being very satisfactory so that its specific gravity will be relatively high. This member is preferably toothed or notched as at 43 and 44. Disposed back of member 3| is the operating lever 45. This member is pivotally supported on a transversely disposed pivot member 46 which pivot member is, in turn, adiustably supported on screws 41 and 48, after the showing particularly of Figures 9, l0, and 13. Screws 41 and 48 should be provided with fixed collars at 50 so that the screws can be turned easily in their supporting lugs 52 so that by turning these screws the position of pivot member 46 can be adjusted to control the amount of cream or paste dispensed during each cycle of operation. At its upper end member 45 is provided with a tension spring at 54 which normally tends to draw the upper end of the lever toward the back of the housing and move the lower end of the lever toward the front of the housing. At its lower end lever 45 is further provided with an abutment plate 55 which is intended for operation by a toothbrush, scoop, spoon, or other means.

Method of operation To use my device it is first necessary to insert into it a tube of the paste to be dispensed. This is put in place by opening cover inserting the threaded end of the collapsible tube in opening 28 and then allowing latch member 29 to close on the threads and thus hold the tube, by its reduced portion, definitely in place. Assuming the device is being used to dispense toothpaste, a toothbrush is placed upon shelf 23 and pressed down thus moving closure member 22 against spring 25. As soon as shelf 23 is forced downwardly to the position shown in Figure 2 the brush is slid into the opening 51 thus uncovered. As the brush is slit into chamber 51 it abuts plate 55 and a continued inwardmovement displaces lever 45 after the showing at Figure 2. During this phase of the operation lever 45 being pivoted at 46, forced the presser block 2| up against the tube and discharges a predetermined amount of paste out onto the brush. The next operation results when presser member 2| squeezes the tube firmly against the front of the housing after the showing of Figure 3. Block 2| then becomes a point of rest for guide member 3| and the lower end of said guide member then swings toward the front of the housing, sliding on screws 32 in so doing. The brush is then withdrawn from chamber 51 withthe toothpaste on the brush thus permitting sprlng 54 to restore lever 45 to its normal position of rest as is shown in Figures 1 and 4. When action is completed springs 35, 36, and 31 are then free to move the entire guide means 3| to the rear of the housing thus drawingblock -"2| away from contact with tube T and if the block is made of heavy material it will fall freely to a new position of rest on the tube so that if the cycle is repeated it will be in position to again squeeze from the tube a given amount of paste. The amount that is dispensed with each operation of the device is dependent upon the position of pivot 46 which may be changed by adjusting screws 41 and 43 so that in effect these screws provide the means for varying the amount of paste dispensed inn single operation.

The foregoing description and the accompanying drawings are believed to clearly disclose a preferred embodiment of my invention but it will be understood that this disclosure is merely illustrative and that such changes in the invention may be made as are fairly within the scope and spirit of the following claims.

' I claim:

1. In a device for dispensing the contents of collapsible tubes, the combination with a housmg having an interior clamp-device engaging the discharge end of the inverted tube, said housing having a front open-mouth pocket below the discharge end and adapted to receive a brush, brush actuated means mounted in the housing for squeezing the tube, a depressible slide-plate closing said mouth and an exterior angular shelf at the upper end of the slide-plate, a'slotted spring-blade mounted below the bottom of the housing, and a lug at the lower end of the plate engaging said spring blade, whereby the slide plate is lifted to closed position as the brush is withdrawn.

2. In a dispensing device, the combination with a supporting frame and means mounted therein for holding upright an inverted collapsible tube, of an upright guide flexibly mounted in the frame above the holding means, a gravity-lowered presser-head mounted in the guide, and brush-actuated means for moving the guide whereby the presser-head is caused to squeeze the tube.

3. In a dispensing device, the combination with a supporting frame and means mounted therein for holding upright an inverted collapsible tube, of an upright flexibly-supported guide mounted in the frame above the holding means, a, gravity-lowered presser-head mounted in the guide, and a brush-actuated lever fulcrumed in the frame at the rear of the guide and in engagement therewith whereby the presser-head is caused to squeeze the tube as the brush-operated lever actuates the guide.

4. In a dispensing device, the combination with a supporting frame and means mounted therein for holding upright an inverted collapsible tube, of an upright guide mounted in the frame above the holding means and movable laterally of the tube, a gravity-lowered presserhead mounted in the guide for squeezing the tube, a brush-actuated lever mounted in the frame for moving the guide in one lateral direction, and springs connected to the frame and guide for pulling the guide in another lateral direction.

5. In a dispensing device, the combination with a supporting frame and means mounted therein for holding upright an inverted collapsible tube, of an upright flexibly-supported guide mounted in the frame adjacent the tube, a gravity-lowered presser-head mounted in the glide, a brush-actuated lever mounted in the frame and having an adjustable fulcrum, said lever adapted to push the guide laterally in one direction, and springs connecting the frame and guide for pulling the guide in an opposite rection.

6. In a dispensing device, the combination with a supporting frame and means mounted therein for holding upright an inverted collapsible tube, of an upright flexibly supported guide mounted in the frame adjacent the tube, a gravity-lowered presser head having a diagonally arranged working face and mounted in the guide, a brush-actuated lever having frictional engagement with the back wall of said guide and adapted to move the guide laterally in one direction, said lever having a fulcrum pin and adjustable bearings for the pin, and springs connected to the frame and guide for moving the guide laterally in the other. direction.

VERN R. DAVIS. 

